Lewisville Statutory Rape Lawyers

Under Texas law, statutory rape has occurred when someone over the age of 17 intentionally or knowingly has had sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 17. Since the legal age of consent in Texas is 17, even if the sexual activity was consensual, technically the incident is still considered rape. The person involved in the incident above the age of 17 can thus be charged with statutory rape and face all related legal consequences.

Though the penalties for a statutory rape conviction can be severe, legal help is available to those who face charges. The Lewisville legal team at Alexander & Associates understands the stress that people may feel after being charged with a sex crime and work to help lessen the severity of the potential legal consequences.

Penalties for Statutory Rape

In Texas, the penalties related to statutory rape are dependent on the specific circumstances of the alleged crime. With regard to the particulars of each incident, the penalty for a conviction generally involves jail time, though the amount of time spent incarcerated can vary significantly. For example, if a 16-year-old and 18-year old engaged in consensual sex, the consequences may be less severe than if the age disparity were more dramatic. However, if sexual assault is involved, the convicted party could face up to 20 years in prison.

Since a criminal conviction can remain on record for an indefinite amount of time, it can be particularly difficult for convicted sex offenders to gain employment or acceptance into educational institutions. Fortunately, an effective legal defense can help keep damaging convictions off of the defendant’s record.

Contact a Statutory Rape Attorney in Lewisville

Among all criminal offenses, sex crimes can cause the most damage to a person’s reputation. The attorneys of Alexander & Associates take the responsibility of defending Lewisville people seriously, and we have successfully defended many people that face legal consequences related to sex crimes. Call our office at (972) 420-6560 to speak with a member of our legal team.